Replaceable gaff climber

ABSTRACT

A climber is provided with a gaff having a three-point mounting structure which both facilitates replacement of the gaff and provides safety to personnel using the climber.

United States Patent 1191 Joseph Feb. 25, 1975 REPLACEABLE GAFF CLIMBER 596,113 12/1897 Howard 182/221 [75] Inventor: Alexander J. Joseph, Glenview, lll. 3 Assigneez Mathias Klein and Sons Inc 3,307,653 3/1967 Gnehm 182/178 Chicago, Ill. Nov. 9, Primary Exa'miner-Reinaldp Machado 2 Attorney, Agent, 0r Firm-F1tch, .Even. Tabin &

Luedeka 52 U.S. Cl. 182 221 151} im. (:1 A63b 2 7/00 [57] ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 182/221, 228, 178; A li b is pr vided with a gaff having a three-point 248/224, 22 mounting structure which both facilitates replacement of the gaff and provides safety to personnel using the [56] References Cited li b UNITED STATES PATENTS 182,282 9/1876 Morse 248/2205 9 4 Draw F'gures REPLACEABLE GAFF CLIMBER The present invention relates to pole and tree climbing devices and more particularly to leg attachable climbers having replaceable gaffs or spurs.

Typically a workman climbing wooden columns, such as utility and telephone poles, tree trunks and the like, utilizes a device to facilitate climbing that has a structure adapted to be secured to the inner side of each of the workmans legs. Extending generally downwardly and away from the leg on the inside of such structure is a spur or gaff which is pointed for a forced insertion into the wooden column to provide climbing support for the workman on the column. 4

In the use of such devices, generally known as climbers, the gaffs are subjected to a variety of forces which constantly .act to wear down the gaff. In instances where the gaff is permanently secured to the climber, such as by riveting, a replacement of the gaff requires replacement of the entire climber device. On the other hand, in known devices where the gaff is detachably mounted, the device is susceptible to either rotating or coming off completely if a component breaks, thus endangering the workman wearing the device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved climber having a structure and gaff mounting arrangement that provides safety for the workman using the climber.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved climber having a replaceable gaff and a generally secure mounting arrangement thereof employing a plurality of attaching devices wherein the loss of one attaching device does not cause the loss of the generally secure mounting of the gaff.

It is still another object of thepresent invention to provide an improved climber having a replaceable gaff and a generally secure mounting arrangement thereof wherein only two tightening means are employed and wherein the failure of one of the tightening means does not cause the loss of the generally secure mounting of the gaff.

These and other objects of the present invention are more particularly set forth in the following detailed descriptio'n'and in the accompanying drawings of which:

.FlG.,1 is a prespective view of a climber embodying features of the preseiitinvention; M

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the basic structural portions of the climber of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a climber with portions in section and illusturating features of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a gaff utilized in the climer of FIG. 1.

Conventionally a workman who climbs poles or trees uses a pair of climbers strapped to the inside of each of his legs to facilitate climbing. The climbers may be duplicates of each other or differ only to the extent of being adapted for use on specifically the left and the right legs. For purposes of the present description only The sleeve fits over a generally straight portion of the leg iron that is adjacent the calf of the leg when the climber is worn by the workman. .A pair of holes 21 are provided near the end ofthis portion of the leg iron and are spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing between alternate holes 19 in the sleeve. This provision affords adjustment in the length of the leg iron to most suitably accommodate the workmans leg, and a pair of attaching devices such as screws 23 are provided to secure a selected position of the sleeve. The screws 23 may be conventional, and in the illustrated embodiment are hex-head cap screws. The holes 19 may be threaded to accommodate the screws 23, and the screws are of sufficient length to extend through all holes so that the ends are approximately flush with the inside surface of the sleeve 17, i.e., the surface alongside the workmans leg. In the illustrated embodiment, an adjustment range of about four inches in onehalf inch increments is provided. While such range is illustrated, it should be understood that other ranges and increments could also be sutiable for the purpose.

Referrring now to FIG. 1, a suitable calf pad 25 slips over the sleeve 17, and a strap 27 is provided that passes through the loop of the sleeve and on the outside of the calf pad to secure this end of the climber 7 to the calf area of the leg. At the other end of the climber, an ankle strap 29 is provided that attaches to and extends from the ring 13 around the ankle to secure the'lower portion of the climber 7 to the workmans leg. These straps may be conventional adjustable straps made of a suitable material, such as leather or nylon. The ring 13 may be of the conventional split-ring type.

A lower curved portion or stirrup 31 of the climber 7 is adapted to fit under the instep of the workmans shoe and thus provide a foot support for the workman.

' The gaff 11 is mounted in a given position on the outside surface of this portion of the climber 7 adjacent the foot positionso that-the workman can readily jab the pole or tree by an appropriate leg movement and cause this gaff to pierce the surface to facilitate climbing. The gaff 11 is generally of the shape shown in FIG. 4,.and includesa body 33 which has a mounting face on one side thereof and generally at one of its ends. Adjoining the face'35 and extending generally longitudinally thereof is a prong or spilke portion 34 of the body which tapers to a point 36. When the gaff 11 is attached to the leg iron 9, the spike portion 34 forms generally an acute angle with the general plane of the mounting face 35 and the adjacent portion of the leg iron 9 so that the point 36 is directed downwardly (with one such climber will be described and illustrated, it

reference to the orientation of the leg iron when worn on the workmans leg) and slightly outwardly from the leg iron. To facilitate measurement, this angle is expressed in the illustrated embodiment as an angle A formed between the outer surface of the spike 34 and a horizontal plane as indicated, and this angle is about 78. Also, the point 36 is then located short of a generally horizontal plane tangent at the underside of the instep portion 31 by a distance D as indicated, and this distance D is about nine-sixteenths of an inch.

The leg irons and gaffs are made from a steel alloy and are drop-forged, each being individually heat treated and inspected.

Important features of the present invention include the structure and arrangement of the gaff mounting, including the mounting face 35 and the provisions for securing and retaining the gaff on the leg iron. As mentioned previously, the illustrated gaff is replaceable. Thus when a gaff becomes worn or damaged, it can be replaced on a leg iron of the type illustrated that is in suitable condition, and the leg iron need not be discarded. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the illustrated climber 7 is provided with a gaff 11 that has a safe mounting arrangement and yet is readily replaceable in the field as is described in detail hereinafter.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the climber 7 is provided with a particular structure and mounting arrangement wherein the replaceable gaff 11 is mounted to the leg iron 9 by two fastening devices, such as a pair of flat head screws 37. A pin 39 is interposed therebetween. Broadly, the pin 39 prevents the gaff 11 from rotating should one of the screws 37 break or fall out. Moreover, it shares individing the forces applied to the gaff when the climber is in use. Preferabley, the arrangement of the pair of screws 37 and the interposed pin 39 is such that all three are aligned longitudinally of the gaff 11, which locates them in line generally with the forces applied to the gaff during climbing. Although other fasteners, such as rivets, could be used for the purpose, the screws 37 are preferable as they afford ease of gaff replacement in the field.

More particularly, through the mounting face 35 and the body 33 of the gaff are three spaced apart openings 41, 43, and 45. The upper opening 41 and the lower opening 45 are defined by walls that are internally threaded to accommodate the screws 37. The opening 43 is defined by walls which include a counter-bore or recess 47. This counter bore receives a shoulder 49 on the pin 39. Preferably, the dimenisions of the opening 43, the counter-bore 47, the pin 39, and the shoulder 49 are such that the pin 39 can be retained in the opening 43-by a press-fit relationship. Such affords the forming of a sub-assembly consisting of the gaff 11 and the pin 39, and this sub-assembly is advantageous both for original assembly and replacement purposes. It will be noted that once the sub-assembly of the gaff and pin is securely mounted to the leg iron 9, the pin is captured by the interrelated structures of the shoulder 49, the walls defining the counter-bore 47 and the adjacent mounting surface of the leg iron and thus retains a fixed position. Accordingly, the shoulder 49 should be flush with the mounting surface 35 when the pin 39 is inserted in the gaff.

Openings 51, 53 and 55 correlated to the aforementioned opening in the gaff are provided in the leg iron 9. The wallsdefining the openings 51 and 55 preferably are internally beveled to complement and receive the heads of the screws 37. This bevel or countersink affords disposing the screws completely within the walls of the openings so as to permit a flush surface along the inside of the leg iron 9. The general location of the openings 51, 53 and 55 is in a portion 57 of the leg iron that is formed to the contour of the leg bone. This locates the gaff in such relation to the leg bone as to provide security of footing and comfort to the workman. In this connection, the stirrup 31 may also be broadened to facilitate the security and comfort of the workman.

The three separate round openings in the leg iron are preferred over any system that might require a large elongated opening or slot. Such an elongaged opening would tend to weaken the leg iron at a portion where strength is important. Thus, the three openings 51, 53 and 55 of the illustrated embodiment provide the least amount of opening consistent with a secure mounting of the detachable and replaceable gaff 11. Further, it can be seen that if either of the screws 37 fall out or are broken, a line or two point mounting support (as op posed, for examle, to a pivot or single point of support) is maintained by the remaining screw 37 and the pin 39. Such support prevents an undesired rotation of the gaff 11 and consequent loss of footing of the workman and provides a secure mounting of the gaff.

This support is enhanced by the particular form of the mounting face 35. As previously mentioned, the portion of the leg iron 9 that receives the gaff 11 is contoured at 57 to accommodate the leg bone of the workman. It will be noted in FIG. 3 that the mounting face 35 of the gaff is of an arcuate shape, and this shape conforms to the contour of the outer surface of the leg iron at the mounting location. Thus the mounting interface is constituted of two complementary arcuatc surfaces. which is preferable to a mounting interface between straight surfaces.

The screws 37 preferably are flat socket head cap screws. Thus with the use of a wrench that complements the socket, a positive engagement means is provided for securing the screws in the gaff openings 51 and 55, and this positive engagement facilitates both the original assembly and the replacement of the gaff in the field. Preferably, the screws are of such length that when completely tightented, no part of them projects beyond the limits of the walls defining the respective openings.

To replace a gaff, a simple removal of only the two screws 37 will free the gaff for detachment from its mounting position. Another gaff is then readily mounted by inserting the exposed portion of the pin 39 into the opening 53, aligning the openings 41 and 45 with the openings 51 and 55, respectively, and then inserting and tightening the flat head screws 37.

Thus a readily replaceable gaff 11 having a structure andv mounting arrangement that provides security and safety of mounting on a climber'has been shown and described in accordance with the principles of the present invention. While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is understood that alternatives, modifications, and variations may be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace any such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A climber comprising a leg iron formed generally for attachment alongside a portion of a human leg, the portion extending from one side of the calf down and under the instep of the foot to the other side of the foot; a sleeve movably attached to the calf end of the leg iron and adapted for adjustment to extend the length of said iron; a strap and means for retaining said strap at either end of said leg iron, said strap adapted to encircle and tighten against the portion of the leg adjacent the respective ends of said leg iron; 21 gaff removably attached to said leg iron in a three point mounting arrangement, said arrangement providing a secure footing and safety for a person using said climber while affording the loss of one of said three mounting points, said gaffbeing located on a portion of said iron adjacent the position of the foot and disposed so as to point generally downwardly when said climber is attached to the leg, said gaff having a body and a mounting face on one side of said body at the point of attachment conforming to the shape of the complementary portion of said leg iron and three openings in the face, said three openings being aligned and the alignment being longitudinal of the body of said gaff, the walls defining two of said three openings being threaded internally and the walls defining the third opening being smooth; screw means disposed in said two threaded openings and through said leg iron for securely attaching said gaff to said iron; a pin disposed in said third opening of said gaff and extending into said leg iron; and means for retaining said pin in said gaff, said retaining means ineluding a counter-bore adjacent the mounting face in said third opening of said gaff and a shoulder on said pin, the shoulder being disposed in the counter-bore and adjacent the surface of said leg iron so that said pin is captured by the interrelated structures of the shoulder, the walls defining the counter-bore and the adjacent mounting surface of the leg iron when the gaff is mounted to said leg iron.

2. A climber in accordance with claim 1 wherein said leg iron contains three openings correlating to said three openings in said gaff, the walls defining the two of said leg iron openings related to said two threaded openings of said gaff being beveled for receiving the heads of said screw means so as to afford a flush dis positon of the heads with respect to the surface of said leg iron.

3. A climber in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pin is disposed in said third opening of said gaff in a press-fit relation for retaining said pin in said opening.

4. A climber in accordance with claim 1 wherein said third opening in the face of said gaff containing said pin is located intermediate said two openings having threaded walls.

5. A climber comprising a leg iron and a gaff removably attached to said leg iron in a three point mounting arrangement at a given location along one elongated surface thereof, said gaff having a body and a mounting face on one side of said body at the point of attachment conforming to the complementary surface portion of said leg iron at said given location, two fastening means spaced apart along said one elongated surface and aligned longitudinally thereof within the area defined by said mounting face for securing said leg iron, and a removable pin interposed in line in a fixed position between said fastening means and within said gaff and leg iron, said gaff and leg iron retaining said pin in said fixed position.

6. A climber in accordance with claim 5 wherein said two fastening means are screws for affording ease of gaff replacement.

7. A climber in accordance with claim 5 wherein said pin is provided with a shoulder and wherein a counterbore complementing said shoulder is provided in said gaff for receiving said shoulder and retaining said pin in said fixed position.

8. A gaff for use in a climber having a leg iron and a given mounting surface theron for receiving said gaff in a removably mounted condition, said gaff comprising a body; a mounting face on one side of said body, said mounting face being conformed to the shape of said given mounting surface of said leg iron and including two spaced apart openings aligned longitudinally of said body for receiving fastening means and a third opening interposed in line between said two spaced apart openings for receiving a removable pin; a spike portion of said body generally longitudinally adjoining said mounting face, said spike portion tapering to a point and generally forming an acute angle with the general plane of said mounting face.

9. A gaff in accordance with claim 8 wherein said third opening includes a counter-bore adjacent said mounting face for receiving a pin having a shoulder 

1. A climber comprising a leg iron formed generally for attachment alongside a portion of a human leg, the portion extending from one side of the calf down and under the instep of the foot to the other side of the foot; a sleeve movably attached to the calf end of the leg iron and adapted for adjustment to extend the length of said iron; a strap and means for retaining said strap at either end of said leg iron, said strap adapted to encircle and tighten against the portion of the leg adjacent the respective ends of said leg iron; a gaff removably attached to said leg iron in a three point mounting arrangement, said arrangement providing a secure footing and safety for a person using said climber while affording the loss of one of said three mounting points, said gaff being located on a portion of said iron adjacent the position of the foot and disposed so as to point generally downwardly when said climber is attached to the leg, said gaff having a body and a mounting face on one side of said body at the point of attachment conforming to the shape of the complementary portion of said leg iron and three openings in the face, said three openings being aligned and the alignment being longitudinal of the body of said gaff, the walls defining two of said three openings being threaded internally and the walls defining the third opening being smooth; screw means disposed in said two threaded openings and through said leg iron for securely attaching said gaff to said iron; a pin disposed in said third opening of said gaff and extending into said leg iron; and means for retaining said pin in said gaff, said retaining means including a counter-bore adjacent the mounting face in said third opening of said gaff and a shoulder on said pin, the shoulder being disposed in the counter-bore and adjacent the surface of said leg iron so that said pin is captured by the interrelated structures of the shoulder, the walls defining the counter-bore and the adjacent mounting surface of the leg iron when the gaff is mounted to said leg iron.
 2. A climber in accordance with claim 1 wherein said leg iron contains three openings correlating to said three openings in said gaff, the walls defining the two of said leg iron openings related to said two threaded openings of said gaff being beveled for receiving the heads of said screw means so as to afford a flush dispositon of the heads with respect to the surface of said leg iron.
 3. A climber in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pin is disposed in said third opening of said gaff in a press-fit relation for retaining said pin in said opening.
 4. A climber in accordance with claim 1 wherein said third opening in the face of said gaff containing said pin is located intermediate said two openings having threaded walls.
 5. A climber comprising a leg iron and a gaff removably attached to said leg iron in a three point mounting arrangement at a given location along one elongated surface thereof, said gaff having a body and a mounting face on one side of said body at the point of attachment conforming to the complementary surface portion of said leg iron at said given location, two fastening means spaced apart along said one elongated surface and aligned longitudinally thereof within the area defined by said mounting face for securing said leg iron, and a removable pin interposed in line in a fixed position between said fastening means and within said gaff and leg iron, said gaff and leg iron retaining said pin in said fixed position.
 6. A climber in accordance with claim 5 wherein said two fastening means are screws for affording ease of gaff replacement.
 7. A climber in accordance with claim 5 wherein said pin is provided with a shoulder and wherein a counter-bore complementing said shoulder is provided in said gaff for receiving said shoulder and retaining said pin in said fixed position.
 8. A gaff for use in a climber having a leg iron and a given mounting surface theron for receiving said gaff in a removably mounted condition, said gaff comprising a body; a mounting face on one side of said body, said mounting face being conformed to the shape of said given mounting surface of said leg iron and including two spaced apart openings aligned longitudinally of said body for receiving fastening means and a third opening interposed in line between said two spaced apart openings for receiving a removable pin; a spike portion of said body generally longitudinally adjoining said mounting face, said spike portion tapering to a point and generally forming an acute angle with the general plane of said mounting face.
 9. A gaff in accordance with claim 8 wherein said third opening includes a counter-bore adjacent said mounting face for receiving a pin having a shoulder thereon. 